How to Capture Every Thought with an Attitude of Gratitude
I’m an emotional Sanguine.
I feel everything. Everything!
Once in a Bible Study class, Rev asked me if I remembered an event we’d gone to and my immediate answer was, “I don’t know. Did I cry?”
Happy, unhappy, or simply emotional tears . . . I cry easily.
Oh, I love to laugh, too. In fact, it’s not unusual for me to laugh until I cry!
God created us with emotions.
Happiness. Peace. Joy. Contentment. Sadness. Anger. Fear. Worry. Stress.
Day in and day out our emotions influence our attitudes and our attitudes influence our mental health.
Paul wrote:
We use our powerful God-tools for smashing warped philosophies, tearing down barriers erected against the truth of God, fitting every loose thought and emotion and impulse into the structure of life shaped by Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:4–5 (MSG)
The enemy of our souls uses all kinds of things to fight against God’s truth . . . even our God-given emotions and attitudes. Because if he can control our thought life, he can influence what we say and do.
So, what can you and I do with “every loose thought and emotion and impulse”? We take hold of our thoughts and make them obey Christ.
One of the best ways to stand against the enemy’s lies and warped philosophies is to replace them with an attitude of GRATITUDE!
Research has shown that living with intentional gratitude improves both our mental health and our relationships.
A Harvard Health Publications article, Giving Thanks Can Make You Happier, shared a study from the University of California with the following results:
One group wrote about things they were grateful for that had occurred during the week. A second group wrote about daily irritations or things that had displeased them, and the third wrote about events that had affected them (with no emphasis on them being positive or negative). Other studies have shown that those who openly express their gratitude to those with whom they live are more likely to have positive feelings toward those individuals and more openly talk about concerns in their relationships.
Most studies reveal that there is a correlation between gratitude and well-being . . . that you and I are better able to handle problems, criticism, and conflict if we’ve established a positive foundation ahead of time.
So let’s look at a few verses that will help us take our thoughts captive by focusing on gratitude…
Do not worry. Learn to pray about everything. Give thanks to God as you ask Him for what you need. The peace of God is much greater than the human mind can understand. This peace will keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Philippians 4:6–7 (NLV)
Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise . . . Then the God of peace will be with you.
Philippians 4:8, 9b
Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.
Colossians 2:7
If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since He did not spare even his own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?
Romans 8:31b–32
A Prayer to Live Every Day
with an Attitude of Gratitude
Father, the Spirit inspired Paul to write, “Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:18) “And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.” (Colossians 3:17)
I come to you with a humble and grateful heart. You are so good to me. I thank you for the gift of emotions that make it possible for us to experience feelings of happiness, peace, contentment, and more. It’s hard to endure unpleasant feelings but in this sinful world, they are part of life too.
I know You don’t want my negative emotions to control me. You want to help me focus on Your truth with a thankful heart. You give me what I need through Your Word to take control of my thoughts and live with peace, joy, and contentment. Please forgive me for those times when I’m weak and tired and let fear, stress, and anger take over my mind. I’m so sorry.
By Your grace and with Your help, I will take Your Word into my heart and mind and repeat it often. I will focus on Your blessings and live with an attitude of gratitude. I will worship and praise You with joy. And I will fix my thoughts on Jesus, the “author and perfecter of my faith,” the One who made it possible for me to live with hope because, in Him, my future is secure. Amen.
So, are you ready to focus on Jesus, take every thought captive, and live with an attitude of gratitude?
Me too!
Let’s close with a couple of quotes to inspire us…
“Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn, or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute, with love, grace, and gratitude.” ~ Denis Waitley
“True Worship: All that I am, responding to all that He is—in gratitude and praise.” ~ Adrian Rogers
May God be with you and bless you with an attitude of gratitude that fills you with peace and joy!
We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…
and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.
Never Miss an Update
Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning
I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.
And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…
Thanks again for visiting! Don’t forget to check out the links below to find additional posts that will bless you…
Thanks, Deb, once again for reminding us that the best way to live abundantly, as Jesus wanted, is to live with a gratitude attitude.
Blessings!
Thank you, dear friend! Blessings!
Thank you for this practical and encouraging post! I shouldn’t be surprised, but it always amazes me how when we apply God’s Word to our lives we end up with the happiness we’ve always wanted (and maybe sought in a hundred other ways).
Amen, Patti! His way is always best. What a blessing that His Spirit is with us to help us. God bless you!
Couldn’t come anymore timely than it is. Just going through a worry and despondency period. Just changed divisions and despite that I thanked the Lord His timing to gift me with it, my doubts started up after 3 weeks – was it really the Lord’s decision or mine? Did I make the right move? Now my performance rating seems to be effected even though earlier I received the highest level.
Don’t even have to say that Satan is having a field day with me. But then suddenly I remembered the devotionals I read last night and every single one of them was talking about the TRIAL OF FAITH. Yes, it’s easy to praise the Lord when things go in our way, but it’s a whole different thing to stand strong on that Faith when it’s under assault.
In mid day, I was reading Psalm 11 to turn my eyes back to Jesus from the circumstances, then I came to verses 4-5:
“He observes everyone on earth, His eyes examine them.
5 The Lord examines the righteous…..” – and suddenly such a peace came over me. Got a new understanding what it means to Live the World. Put it into practice what I read and learned.
Don’t get me wrong, worry still grabs my heart time to time but I’m making conscious effort to focus on Jesus and His promises.
Blessings my friend ????????
Me too, Gaby. I have to start each day with the Lord and ask Him to help me focus on Him throughout the day. The enemy is constantly trying to taunt us with worries and anxieties. Praise God! He wants so much more for us and through His Spirit, He makes His better way possible. Blessings!